Sharapova broke early in the second set but again Watson responded, and the Russian had to battle to hold for a 3-2 lead as her fragile serve gave her more problems, though she won the game with a fine sixth ace of the match.

Three successive breaks followed, Sharapova with two of them to take control before serving out the set 6-3.

For the third set in succession, Watson lost her first service game – but again she found the same response, levelling at 1-1.

Sharapova recorded the third break in succession – each sealed by a double fault – but Watson made it seven in eight games to level once more.

Sharapova broke for the eighth time in the match to lead 4-3 and, serving at 5-4, an ace set up two match points before she closed the match out at the first attempt.